Hockey was already struggling with concussion when American Adam Johnson suffered a fatal laceration from a skate blade during a match in England last month.
Thanks to a 19-year-old college football player and a USA Hockey team doctor, there is now protective equipment that can help reduce the risk of concussions and lacerations.
Adapted from a model originally designed for football and lacrosse, G8RSkin Ice looks like a balaclava and covers a hockey player's head, neck and shoulders. The device is worn under a player's uniform, and Because it is made of lightweight, cut-resistant Kevlar, it can prevent a player's throat from being slit by a skate blade, as was the case with Johnson.
Additionally, research from Virginia Tech has shown that G8RSkin can reduce the relative concussion risk for athletes by as much as 83.33 percent.
“The balaclava provides protection that covers the head, neck and upper part of the shoulder,” G8RSkin consultant, professor of orthopedic surgery at Columbia and US hockey team physician Charles Popkin told DailyMail.com. “I suspect that many youth hockey and soccer parents will be very excited about this product.”
This view shows the protective balaclava peeking out from under the jersey
Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia and USA Hockey Dr. Charles Popkin (right) advised on the design, which he says could prevent cuts like those suffered by Adam Johnson (left)
G8RSkin Ice looks like a balaclava and covers the head, neck and shoulders of a hockey player
Originally designed by Johns Hopkins defenseman Carter Hogg, who himself battled concussions, the first G8RSkin was aimed solely at reducing head trauma in football and lacrosse.
Popkin began consulting with Hogg soon after, and the pair quickly realized that the device could be adapted for hockey with minimal modification.
To be clear, G8RSkin Ice was already in the works before Johnson's tragic accident during a race last month, but the fatal accident motivated Hogg and Popkin to later add an additional Kevlar for better protection around the neck.
And unlike other neck protectors, which look a bit like a turtleneck, the balaclava-style G8RSkin Ice covers the entire neck. That is significant, because according to American hockey research27 percent of players who suffered neck injuries from skate blades actually wore neck protectors.
“Your really vulnerable area is what we call Zone 2, between the bottom of your lower jaw and the collarbone,” Popkin said. “And there are plenty of those neck gaiters that leave a lot of that open.”
Additionally, USA Hockey only recommends the use of neck guards rather than requiring them. That's why Johnson's death and a similar tragedy in 2022 involving Connecticut high school hockey player Teddy Balking have resulted in mounting criticism of the organization.
“I think the tragedy of Adam Johnson and Teddy Balkind brought to light what is usually a pretty unusual or rare injury, but it does happen,” Popkin said.
'I think ice hockey is the best game in the world. It's exciting, it's fast, but dying on the ice is not something people are comfortable with in sports – even though it is very unusual.”
The good news for Popkin, Hogg and their product is that USA Hockey will vote next month to address or change safety equipment requirements, so they could see increased demand if the neck guards become mandatory.
Although only a few NHL players have discussed the possibility of wearing neck guards, women playing in the PWHL may be required to wear them.
'[Anywhere] wherever they play hockey, they are now looking at this – at every level,” said Brian Burke, executive director of the PWHL players association.
The English Ice Hockey Association has already made neck protectors mandatory from 2024.
Adam Johnson's Nottingham Panthers teammates paid tribute ahead of a memorial match
Flowers, cards and jerseys were left outside the venue as emotions ran high before the game
But G8RSkin Ice not only protects against cuts. Hogg and Popkin also claim that it can minimize concussion by absorbing energy and stiffening at the moment of impact to reduce head movement.
“The laboratory data are very encouraging,” Popkin said. “Concussions are multifactorial. But you're looking at the reduction in linear acceleration, which is what happens when the G8RS essentially absorbs a lot of the force. It stiffens and limits the linear acceleration.”
Early reviews, according to Popkin, were positive in part because the design team incorporated notes from football, lacrosse and hockey players – all of whom were concerned about restricting movement.
“Hockey and football players, I think, are pretty minimalist equipment people,” he said. 'I think [the device] It should be comfortable and not restrict movement.
And the more comfortable and less restrictive the product is, the more likely it is to help athletes.
'If [USA Hockey mandates] “If it is for young people, parents will have to choose something and this seems to be an exciting product because of the large part of the neck it covers,” Popkin said.